The process to rent a house

[nonamemummy]

What is the process of renting a house? I currently rent from a housing association that my social worker helped me get into when I was younger. I’ve found a house through a private landlord I’d really like so was wondering what the process is actually like?

Usually it's through an agency who will do references (they may have a charge for this) and do a credit check on you (maybe another charge for this - not sure). If all is approved then you can pay the deposit (this may be payable beforehand) and sign a contract, on an agreed move in day you might have someone come around with you to sign a document showing the condition of the property (e.g. notable damage or wear and tear) so it's clear what the condition is at the start of the tenancy. It may have changed a bit, I'm not sure if they allow fees anymore but they might charge for the credit checks etc.

Stay with the housing association. Don't leave a secure tenancy for a private rental unless it's literally intolerable to live where you are.

If you really have to, you'll need to apply, pay a holding deposit to take the flat off the market while they do checks, and pay a month rent up front and a month rent as a deposit against damages.

I really, really urge you to think again though. Private rental is insecure, overpriced and very stressful. You often can't have pets, can't be on a low income/topped up by benefits, might get kicked out if you have a baby, or the landlord needs to sell, or just wants more money. Housing association tenancies are worth their weight in fold.

Ahem - gold.

I know it would be sooo much cheaper to stay where I am with the housing association but there just really isn’t enough room for us in here and no one wants to exchange from a 3 bed house to a 2 bed flat (which is what I have) so I feel it’s my only option

I’m on the dense with this. Housing association houses can be right shit holes. They can take a very king time to get things fixed. My cousin lived in one and it was dreadful, she couldn’t decorate as the walls were damp to the point the plaster was falling off and a bloody radiator fell off the wall. They really didn’t give a shit.

I’ve know people to rent directly off a landlord and basically the same with not fixing things.

We actually rent the one we are in now. The agents are Bridgefords and to be fair they come out quite with repairs. Although they cost an arm and leg for ‘administration’ fees

You fill out the application form and you have to pay them to do a credit check. I think we paid about £200 and you don’t get that back if the check fails.

Then you will pay a deposit and they might add a month rent upfront too.

I thought estate agents were stopped from taking excessive fees but it seems they have found away around it!

Oh it’s a nice flat, and the housing association is really good actually but it’s just too small now we had another child. With the application form is that providing proof of income and everything? Is it usually a quick process then from viewing to moving in?

read the how to rent guide on gov.uk for your country (England/Scotland/Wales). That tells you your rights and your responsibilities, and those of the landlord.

tenant fees are now illegal except for tenancies already in place, and will be shortly for all tenancies.

it is a good point that councils do not die/divorce/go bust/get driven out of the business, all of which can and do happen to private landlords.